Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-03-17
Cupid in the Treasury.
REFORMING A BRIGHT YOUNG MAN AND
MAKING A PRETTY GIRL HAPPY.

Six wears ago last March bright-eyed,
rosy-cheeked young fellow of % received
an appointment through political influ-
ence in the division | am employed in.
You know that was before the days of
civil service reform. He was quick and
intelligent, and it was not long before he
was as familiar with the work as the old
est clerk in the office. For a week or so
he was a most efficient clerk, and always
on time With sorrow began to notice
that he was becoming dissipated; that his
work was behind, and instead of the
frank, independent expression he had
when he came in the office, was careless,
devil-may care sort Of a look. | remon-
strated with him and told him he would
be dismissed. and justly, too. if he did
not snake the companions he was asso-
eating with.
His only reply would be: Il can take
care of my self; you needn't fret about
me-" His downfall didn't surprise me
much, for had seen number of young
men 90 just his way who had come in
the departments honest, sober young fell
lows, and leave it, broken down in health
and careless as to how they made their
| living. Things went on this way until the
present administration came into power
and the heads of the different bureaus
were changed. Consequently a great
number of new clerks came in. Among
! these was a pretty young lady with large
brown eyes and fascinating smile The
clerks, both male and female, immediate
| " took to her and she became general
favorite. The young men in the office
never lost an opportunity to have few
minutes chat with her, but that is as far
| as it ever went. Though she treated ali
pleasantly. none were ever invited to call
on her. The young fellow | spoke about
had gotten so that he seldom had any,
thing 10 say to any one. In the course
of time he made the acquaintance of the
pretty Young clerk, and that evening. one
of the old ladies, with the best intentions
in the world. told the young lady not to
get too intimate with that man. as he was
considered a 'srounder," or in other words,
dssipated.
She said she liked him. and THOUGHT
there was a good deal of good in him if
he had the proper encouragement. He
| seemed to be gentleman, and that if he
did ANYTHING wrong it was only through
carelessness. After this the two young
people we're together constantly when not
at the office, and most wonderful change
came over him. He stopped drinking,
attended to his work with a will, and
when not somewhere with her of an
evening, staid in his room and read.
was pleased to note the change. and
knew that all would come out well. She
had only been in the Office about six
months when he came to me one day and
said he was going to resign. as his salary
was not sufficient to support wife as he
would like to. and that he had secured a
position as book keeper in wholesale
grocery house in New York. He went
away. and heard nothing from him.
We often spoke of him at the office, but
no one ever dared ask the young lady
clerk about him, for they remembered
how she went for the old lady who spoke
of him to her. Several weeks since
was surprised when the young lady came
to me. as the young man had before, and
said she weuld be pleased if would send
her resignation to the secretary. | asked
her jokingly if she was going to be
married. She blushingly admitted she
was, but would not say to whom. sus-
pected and felt pleased. This morning
she and her husband called to see me, and
| it proved to be the young man suspected.